"But, how long will you be gone?” Blaine looked at Cooper from his bed. Kurt was in the kitchen getting breakfast and his medications, and Coop was helping Blaine get dressed.

“Not very long. Dad called a few days ago and asked me to come over for a few weeks. It's just the business stuff. Dad bought out another company and he wants help with the merge. I need to learn how to do this on an international level. I can handle the domestic stuff...” Cooper droned on, but all Blaine could think was how much he would miss his brother.

“Okay, I get it. But it just seems like all the times Mom and Dad left us. Only now it's only me left here alone.”

“Oh, Blaine. I'm not going to do what they did. Not at all. I do need to go, it's for the company, but you know I'll be back. I will. I promise. Besides, why do you need me? You have that Mama Tiger to take care of you,” Coop ruffled his brother's curls, then gathered him into his arms.

Blaine held on with a strangle hold and blinked back tears. “Don't call my boyfriend a Mama Tiger.” It was all he could think to say, he was so unhappy. But he was also accepting of the news. He knew Coop would come back, he was just going to miss him.

“French toast for three!” Kurt announced, setting the tray on the bedside table. He looked at Blaine, practically sitting in Coop's lap, eyes swollen and red. “Wha...what's up?”

“Cooper is deserting us for a few weeks to go have a vacation in Europe!” Blaine kidded, trying to lighten the mood.

“I'm going to get some business done with dad, I'm only going to be gone a few weeks. Then I'll be back before you know it. Oh, and Blaine, since I'm going to be out of the country, I drew up some papers – Burt is your legal guardian until I get back. Okay?”

Blaine nodded. Kurt was beginning to wonder just how much time his father was spending with Cooper. They had been talking a lot and it seemed decisions were being made about Blaine and himself – who only found out about it as some sort of afterthought. First there was Blaine living with them, then the move to this house, then arranging for Ms Holiday to tutor them...now Blaine's guardianship. All of the decisions were in their best interest, but it would have been nice to be included in the process. He grunted in frustration, but this was not the time to bring it up.

Blaine's eyes turned to Kurt at the sound, but Kurt shook his head no and Blaine understood they would talk about it later. He sighed a little and as his eyes fell on the French toast, sprinkled with powdered sugar, a bowl of fresh raspberries ready to put on the toast...he smiled. Chairs were brought close and the three took their plates and began to eat.

“It's only a few weeks, honey.” Cooper was sitting in Mercedes' living room, holding her close on the sofa. Only Miss Jo was home and she was out in the garden. He leaned over to put his lips gently on Mercy's, pulling her close. Her hand came up, fingers resting lightly on his jaw as she looked deep in his eyes.

“I wish I could take you with me, but I'm pretty sure your folks might object to that. And I have to leave in the morning, no time to get you a passport. Oh, I was thinking...we do need to get you one. What if I want to sweep you off to Paris one night?” Cooper purred at his girlfriend, kissing her on the corner of her mouth.

“Oh, right...” Mercedes giggled.

“No, I'm serious. Not about Paris, but I do want you to get your passport. I'll leave everything with my secretary, could you get that done while I'm gone?”

“Ah, yes, I guess I can. But why?”

“Just in case.” Cooper resumed kissing her. “Anything you want from Turkey? That's where I'll be for the next month. But we can Skype.”

“Okay. I'm going to miss you.”

“Me, too, honey, me, too.”

Cooper returned to the house that afternoon, looking for Kurt. He only had until the morning and had a bone to pick with his brother's boyfriend. He found him out by the pool.

“Where have you stashed my little brother?” he started.

Kurt smiled. “He's taking a nap. I wasn't sleepy, so I came out to get a little sun. Have a seat.”

“I just want to talk something over before I leave.” Cooper said, sitting in the chair opposite Kurt.

“Sounds serious.”

“Well, it is. I know you might not think this is any of my business, and I respect that. But it concerns both my brother and my girlfriend. So bear with me for a minute.”

“Ah, okay?” Kurt was getting nervous. He couldn't think of anything that would include both of them...

Cooper leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. He looked Kurt straight in the eyes, noting in passing how beautiful they were. “It was the night of the dinner party with Mercedes' folks, she called me late that night and asked me to meet her in the park. We had an argument. She said some stuff, I said some stuff. You know. But before she ran back home, she told me she lost her virginity to her best friend. Are you her best friend, Kurt?”

Kurt's eyes were saucers. How could Mercedes tell ANYONE about that. He was in shock, far beyond anger at Mercedes, far beyond embarrassment, just shock. He didn't say a thing, just sat there with his mouth open. Cooper looked at him, now feeling bad he brought it up so abruptly, but he wanted...no, he needed to know that Kurt would be loyal to his little brother. That he was what Blaine believed him to be. If Kurt was bisexual, his brother should know that. It probably wouldn't make any difference to Blaine, but Coop had to make sure.

“That, Cooper Anderson, is none of your fucking business. What did Mercedes say?” Kurt spoke in a very calm and quiet voice, not wanting to yell and wake Blaine, asleep just inside the doors behind them.

“She only said she was fifteen when she lost her virginity to her best friend. I never asked her for more,” Coop had the decency to look away.

“She never mentioned my name?” Kurt asked.

“No. But you are her best friend, aren't you?” Cooper asked, nailing the boy with his cold stare.

“It was a long time ago, Cooper. Water under the bridge. I don't want to talk about it," Kurt said, returning bitch-glare for cold stare.

“I am so sorry, Kurt, but I have to talk about it. This concerns my brother. This concerns his heart, Kurt. Have you told him?” Coop wasn't going to let this go.

Kurt was livid by now. He shouted his answer back to Cooper, enraged that Coop wouldn't stop badgering him.

Blaine was not sleeping very well. He was sad Coop was leaving, even if it was for a short time. He could hear Kurt just outside the doors, but just his voice, not what he was saying. He heard Cooper, too. They seemed to be having some sort of argument. Blaine wasn't trying to eavesdrop, so he turned over to try to get back to sleep. He trusted that if there was a problem, he would be told eventually. But the argument turned heated and he heard Kurt yell:

“Yes, I had sex with Mercedes!! Are you happy now? This is none of your goddam fucking business. Can't you just let sleeping dog lie? Go to hell, Cooper Anderson!"

Kurt got up and ran. He went to the gate, calling Aramis before bursting through the gate, running to get away from the memories, from the guilt, from Cooper. Aramis ran with him, excited for time with Kurt. Kurt got to the park and sat down on a bench. Aramis climbed into his lap, kissing his face. He didn't judge Kurt, didn't get angry or blame him for things he had done years ago. Kurt was once more so grateful Blaine had given him the collie. He threw his arms around the fluffy dog and cried into his fur.

Cooper was still sitting on the chair, looking at the gate where Kurt had disappeared. He looked over at the house and realized the doors to the boys' bedroom were open. Oh, no. Dread crept up Cooper's back, moving like a cloud, spreading into his blood, into his whole body. Kurt had shouted so loud, how could Blaine not have heard it?

He got up, walking slowly, pushing aside the drapes to go into the room. Blaine was rolled into a ball, under the covers, looking so small. Coop watched him for a minute, seeing his breath was slow and even. He didn't move, so Coop thought he might have actually slept through the fight. He toed off his shoes and climbed on the bed, under the sheet that was covering his brother, and scooted close. He put his arms around him, like when he was a little child and Cooper wanted to protect him from the world. Blaine moved in his sleep, turning to snuggle into Cooper.

Blaine wasn't asleep. He was confused, but didn't want to know any more. So when he heard Kurt run out the gate and Cooper walk towards his room, he feigned sleep. This was just not something he felt prepared to deal with. Cooper stayed with Blaine for a while, carding his fingers through the dark curls, just watching his brother sleep. He finally got up when he heard the dog rushing into the room. Aramis sat beside the bed, wagging his tail. Coop patted the bed and Aramis jumped up.

“You stay here with Blainers, Aramis, I have to get things packed,” he whispered. He closed the door as he left.

Kurt was in the kitchen. He gave Cooper his ice-cold bitch-glare. But Cooper had a thick skin and not much time.

“Kurt, I owe you an apology. I was just worried about my brother, he is so in love with you. I don't want him to get hurt.”

“And you think I'm going to hurt him?” Kurt asked.

“No. I did wonder about Mercedes, but you are right. It is none of my business. It was a long time ago. And I beg you to forgive me for prying in something that was not my business.”

“Did Blanie..?” Kurt asked.

“No, he was sound asleep. I stayed with him until Aramis came in. He's fine,” Cooper sighed in relief.

“I guess no harm done, Coop. It just hit me...I mean, Mercedes has never mentioned it to anyone, ever. I don't understand why she would now...” Kurt had a catch in his voice, her betrayal just now striking him. “So, you were worried Mercy and I...were carrying on some sort of clandestine meetings?”

“No. I was worried...well, I guess I just have to say this. I was concerned that Blaine knows you're ...ah...oh, never mind.” Cooper sat down heavily in a chair. He put his head in his hands.

“Coop....I know what you're worried about. And no, I am not bisexual. I don't know what happened that night with Mercedes, I've tried to understand it. But I guess it was just teenage hormones or something. I've never felt attracted to any other girl. Mercedes is my friend, my best friend, she's known me since I was born, our mothers were best friends. You have no worries that I will do anything, ever, to hurt Blaine. I love him, Cooper. And I want to spend the rest of my life proving it to him,” Kurt was crying by the time he finished. He sat down next to Cooper and just fell to pieces.

Cooper held out his arms and Kurt dived into them, trembling and crying and Cooper held him close until he calmed down. He brushed the thick chestnut hair from Kurt's eyes, gave him a kiss on the temple, like he would his brother, just held him and rubbed his back until Kurt had control of himself again and slipped back into his chair.

“I know, Kurt. And I'm sorry I ever had thoughts like that. I know you won't hurt Blaine, I don't know what I was thinking. You and Blaine belong together, Kurt, and I'm proud you'll be Blaine's husband one day.”

Coop got up and made some coffee, pouring a cup for each of them. They sat and talked for a while until Mrs. Shaw came into the room to start supper. Coop left to finish packing, Kurt went to check on Blaine.

School started on Monday after Cooper left for Istanbul. Miss Holiday was just as much fun as Kurt remembered and Blaine liked her, too. They had four hours of classes every morning and had Show Choir/Glee Club on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Tuesday afternoon, Kurt had changed his clothes at least six times. He was nervous and Blaine wasn't very sympathetic. He just wanted to go.

“Hey, Kurt, let's take Aramis with us and tell them he's my service dog?” Blaine laughed.

“Yeah, right,” Kurt smirked. “You'll have to stay here with Mrs Shaw, Aramis. Behave yourself.” Aramis wagged his tail as though he understood what his master was saying to him.

“Okay, I think we have everything..” Kurt looked around the room. He lifted Blaine into the wheelchair, took him out to the Navigator and got him comfortable. They stopped at the coffee shop and Kurt brought out their cups, then on to McKinley. He hadn't been inside the choir room for so long, he was getting more nervous. He wondered how he could keep Blaine safe from all the bullies while pushing the wheelchair. But he needn't have worried - as he pulled into his parking slot, Blaine getting the handicap placard out of the glove compartment, they were met by a crowd of people.

Puck opened Blaine's door, lifting him out like he was a feather, Finn got the wheelchair out of the back, and everyone was talking at once – welcoming the two back, hugging and laughing. It was a good day. Brittney jumping up and down, Mike doing an impromptu dance, Tina giggling, Santana actually grinning, and Mercedes grabbing Kurt into a monstrous hug. Kurt realized how much he missed his friends.

They got to the choir room, settling down for Mr Schue. Since it was the beginning of the year and so many people were new, they had try-outs first thing. Nobody had ever been turned down, but it was nice to hear the new kids show what they had. Kurt sat next to Blaine, holding his hand. He looked kind of tired, but okay.

“The last of the new kids today is Blaine Anderson,” Mr Schue said, nodding at Blaine. “I know you all know him already, and have heard him sing - “ he looked at the new kids - “He was the lead singer for the Dalton Warblers last year. He doesn't need to try out, but he asked me if he could.” Mr Schue waved a hand at Blaine and Finn stepped down to push him to the front of the room, earning a glare from Kurt.

“I guess you all know about me getting meningitis last year. I wouldn't have been able to be with you today if it wasn't for a special person in my life, who has taken care of me every day since. I owe him my life. I just wanted to sing this song, for Kurt,” he said, smiling at his boyfriend. Kurt blushed as all eyes focused on him for a second before returning to Blaine. Blaine had eyes only for his boyfriend.

Ohh ohh...

When the visions around you,
Bring tears to your eyes
And all that surround you,
Are secrets and lies
I'll be your strength,
I'll give you hope,
Keeping your faith when it's gone
The one you should call,
Was standing here all along..

And I will take
You in my arms
And hold you right where you belong
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you
This I promise you

I've loved you forever,
In lifetimes before
And I promise you never...
Will you hurt anymore
I give you my word
I give you my heart (give you my heart)
This is a battle we've won
And with this vow,
Forever has now begun...

Just close your eyes (close your eyes)
Each loving day (each loving day)
I know this feeling won't go away (no..)
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you..
This I promise you..

Over and over I fall (over and over I fall)
When I hear you call
Without you in my life baby
I just wouldn't be living at all...

And I will take (I will take you in my arms)
You in my arms
And hold you right where you belong (right where you belong)
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you baby

Just close your eyes
Each loving day (each loving day)
I know this feeling won't go away (no..)
Every word I say is true
This I promise you

Every word I say is true
This I promise you
Ooh, I promise you...

Kurt's blue eyes never left Blaine's golden hazel ones, the love the two of them shared evident to everyone in the room. Several of the girls sighed, wishing someone would love them so much. Maybe it wasn't just the girls......Applause erupted, and there wasn't a dry eye in the room. Kurt ran up to Blaine and pulled him up in his arms, covering his face with kisses until Mr Schue cleared his throat - bringing Kurt back to reality. He helped Blaine back to his chair and sat beside him, wiping his face again and again.

Everyone made an excuse to come by the two, clapping them on the back, patting their arms or brushing kisses on their cheeks.

“I think I can say this for everyone,” Rachel announced, “We are so happy to have you back, Kurt, and to have you join us, Blaine. This is going to be a GOOD year!”

Kurt made a light supper for Blaine and himself in the late afternoon and they went to bed early. It was the first day and they were both exhausted. So, it was only three people at the dining table that evening at supper. Finn was sitting across from his mom and Burt. He got out his cell phone and passed it to them, “Just push play.”

Blaine's voice came on, singing to Kurt, and the camera followed Blaine, then Kurt's face as he listened to his boyfriend sing his heart out. By the time it was over, Burt and Carole were both in tears.

While Burt knew the boys were in love, that they had a connection that seemed to be made stronger by each passing day, this video showed him it was more than just a bonding thing between them. It was getting serious in a romantic way, too. He had thought they were too young, and let it go at that – but now, well, now he might need to intercede. He wasn't by nature a meddling man, he was more of a live and let live kind of a guy. But this was his son. He went up to his bedroom that night after dropping Carole off for her shift. He hated it when she worked nights, but he also understood why she had to. Tonight he was a bit relieved because he had something to think over, and it was better to do the thinking by himself.

After a while, he got up from the chair, still wearing his clothes from the garage, and left the house. He drove slowly, but was able to find the place, even in the dark. He'd spent a lot of time here over the years, and his feet led him to the place, even with the lack of light. He stood there a minute, then went down on his knees. “Elizabeth.....” he whispered.